verb(heightened; heightening)Date: 1523transitive verb1.a. to increase the amount or degree of ;augmentb. to make brighter or more intense ;deepenc. to bring out more strongly ; point up
d. to make more acute ;sharpen2.a. to raise high or higher ;elevateb. to raise above the ordinary or trite
3.obsoleteelateintransitive verb1.archaicgrow, rise2.a. to become great or greater in amount, degree, or extent
b. to become brighter or more intense

heighten — height|en [ˈhaıtn] v [I and T] if something heightens a feeling, effect etc, or if a feeling etc heightens, it becomes stronger or increases = ↑intensify →↑strengthen ▪ There are fears that the march will heighten racial tension. ▪ Increased… … Dictionary of contemporary English